CANFIELD — An armed person "lunged" at Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton Sunday during a campaign appearance at the Canfield Fair, campaign officials and local party leaders said, and multiple people were hurt before the suspect was taken into custody.
The incident occurred at the Mahoning County Democratic Party tent at the fairgrounds outside Youngstown, according to party chair Chris Anderson and statements from Acton’s campaign. Anderson said on social media that a man was arrested after "knocking volunteers to the ground." The campaign’s communications director, Addie Bullock, said Acton and her husband were grateful for "the swift and decisive action of law enforcement" and were praying for those injured.
Suspect arrested, charged
Authorities identified the suspect as Patrick Havas, 38, who was booked into the Mahoning County Jail, according to reporting by The Columbus Dispatch. Court records reviewed by the Dispatch show Havas was charged with two counts of assault and one count of disorderly conduct.
| Known details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Mahoning County Democratic Party tent, Canfield Fair |
| Date | Sept. 6, 2026 |
| Suspect | Patrick Havas, 38 (arrested) |
| Charges | Two counts assault, one count disorderly conduct |
| Injuries | Multiple people reported hurt; Acton not injured |
Eyewitness accounts and response
Former U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, who is running for the Ohio House and witnessed the episode, described seeing an "armed individual" attempt to attack Acton and said the candidate’s security detail intercepted and restrained the man before he reached her. Boccieri told the Akron Beacon Journal he saw someone he believed was directing the suspect toward the candidate and that the scene "looked very coordinated." He added that Acton, a physician by training, began treating people who had been pushed down.
"What happened at our tent today during today's visit from Dr. Acton is reprehensible and should be condemned by leaders on all sides of the aisle," Mahoning County Democratic Party chair Chris Anderson wrote on Facebook.
Acton’s campaign did not provide an exact number of people injured. Media reports said several volunteers and bystanders were knocked to the ground; injuries were described as minor in some accounts but campaign officials said they were praying for the recovery of those hurt.
Political leaders respond
Outgoing Republican Gov. Mike DeWine posted that Acton was OK. The campaign of Acton’s Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, condemned the attack. Ramaswamy’s communications director, Connie Luck, said candidates should be able to meet voters without fearing threats or violence.
The incident draws renewed attention to safety at public political events as the state moves closer to the November gubernatorial election. It also raises questions about security protocols for candidates at large community gatherings such as fairs, where crowds and casual access can complicate protective measures.
- What we know: Acton was not physically harmed; the suspect was arrested and charged.
- What remains unclear: Precise number and severity of injuries to other individuals and motive behind the attack.
- Next steps: Local law enforcement and prosecutors will determine final charges; campaign and fair organizers may review security practices.
Representatives for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol had not provided detailed public updates by early evening, and the Acton campaign declined to release further details beyond its initial statements. Local authorities typically release booking information and formal charging documents through the county jail or prosecutor’s office as investigations proceed.
The episode adds to a string of high-profile security incidents at political events nationwide and is likely to factor into discussions among campaigns, law enforcement and fair organizers about how to protect candidates and the public while preserving open access at community events. State and local officials from both parties said the attack should be condemned regardless of politics.
Further reporting is expected as investigators and prosecutors release more information and as the Acton campaign and local officials respond to questions about security and the handling of the incident.
